The decision by the Cotati City Council in May to award its 10-year garbage contract to Redwood Empire Disposal without placing it out for bid has prompted a local group, Cotati Citizens for Open Market Competition, to take action.

The issue of the garbage contract goes to court on Dec. 11. The CCOMC is hoping the decision will be overturned and the contract will be open to bid for other garbage collection companies.

“Instead of wasting the city attorney's expensive time, plus the cost of a special election — neither of which we want — we have asked the council three times to direct the City Manager (Dianne Thompson) to do her job and conduct an open, transparent bidding process so the citizens can be sure they are getting the best deal. Each time we have asked, the council has not responded with even one word,” Karraker said.

Thompson has contended all along that Redwood Empire Disposal has the complete cache of services Cotati needs while others do not.

The CCOMC, whose chairperson is frequent Cotati City Council and government critic Greg Karraker, also is up and running with its new website critical of decisions made by the Cotati council.

The website, www.ccomc.info, lists a number of issues where it feels the city has gone off track.

Caroline Banuelos, of Santa Rosa, is treasurer of this committee.

Ironically, she and Karraker are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Karraker is a staunch conservative, while Banuelos’ political preference tilt to the left.